Tevez transfer request is risky move

When Carlos Tevez was unveiled on what was to become an iconic "Welcome To Manchester" poster, he was being paraded as the symbol of a new era at Eastlands.

Not only had Manchester City demonstrated the financial muscle and ambition to tempt him away from Old Trafford, they had the audacity to take their confidence to the streets and taunt the neighbours with their latest purchase.

Tevez became an instant hero simply by crossing Manchester - then cemented the status by scoring 39 goals in 60 games to lead what the club's cash-laden Abu Dhabi hierarchy hoped would be a revolution.

City instantly rejected Tevez's request and outlined their reasons - and what they clearly believe is a hidden agenda behind the Argentine's request - in a detailed statement. Tevez will stay at City for now but it is a fragile union.

Tevez's written transfer demand represents a devastating blow to City and their supporters, who may have sensed bad news was heading their way after the impressive win at West Ham United lifted hopes of a first title since 1968 just a little higher.

History will have told them it was all going a little too well, a sure sign something unpleasant was about to descend on this loyal, long-suffering support.

Carlos Tevez rows with City boss Roberto Mancini after being substituted against Bolton. Pic: AP

Only a few short weeks ago they revelled in Manchester United's discomfort when Wayne Rooney wanted to leave Old Trafford, even allowing themselves to briefly dream of him joining Tevez at Eastlands, before the England striker opted to stay on an improved contract.

Now the roles have been reversed and it remains to be seen whether the same peace pact can be reached between City and Tevez.

City's robust statement pointing the finger of accusation firmly at Tevez's representative drives at the suggestion that homesickness is at the heart of the Argentine's declared desire to leave the club.

Tevez has stated his discontent at being separated for long periods from wife Vanessa and daughters Florencia and Katia in Buenos Aires, even hinting at early retirement to solve this personal turmoil.

There may be little sympathy for City here. Just as Sir Alex Ferguson used agent Paul Stretford when luring Rooney from Everton only to criticise him amid recent unrest, so City were happy to deal with Kia Joorabchian when they brought Tevez to Eastlands with such fanfare. No point complaining about rules of the game when you helped make them.

City, though, have attempted to shift the agenda away from homesickness.

They state publicly that Tevez is the highest paid player at the club, despite previous suggestions that Yaya Toure holds that particular privilege, and reveal "significantly over recent months, the club has received numerous requests from Carlos' representative to renegotiate and improve his playing contract as well as more recently a request to extend that contract by another year".

In other words, it is a strange kind of homesickness that makes you ask to stay an extra year in the very location of your perceived unhappiness.

Whatever is behind Tevez's decision, it comes with desperately poor timing for City and boss Roberto Mancini, who has negotiated the delicate balancing of the egos infiltrating the Eastlands dressing room to put his side in such a healthy Premier League position.

It will also come as a let-down to City after they thought Tevez's recent decision to sign a two-year rental agreement on a property in fashionable Mottram meant the spectre of homesickness had finally been lifted.

Tevez has endured a notoriously uneasy relationship with Mancini, from questioning his training methods to a half-time row in the win against Newcastle United to the open dissent shown when he was substituted in the closing moments of the victory against Bolton Wanderers eight days ago.

But if Tevez is playing a power game against Mancini then it is one that is surely doomed to failure. Manchester City's owners have thrown their weight of support and finance behind Mancini and recent results have cemented his position.

Owner Sheikh Mansour, while admiring his investment in Tevez, is unlikely to allow a single player - no matter how valuable - to dictate policy and he may hold the view that his riches are such that he can simply go out and buy an upgrade. He is not going to be held to ransom.

Mancini, however, is a pragmatist and does not need to call on much of his experience to inform him that Tevez is, by some distance, his most influential player and also a strong influence in the dressing room. It is a situation he, and City, cannot allow to fester.

Only a few days ago, Spain's David Silva, who had struggled to settle after his summer move from Valencia, paid a glowing tribute to the part Tevez had played in helping him find his feet in England, on and off the pitch.

He said: "I feel part of the team and feel I am an important and valued player. Tevez has been so important for me in England. I couldn't speak English and he helped me a lot. He is a great footballer and a great person."

Does Tevez's frustration with life at City mean his career in England has come to an end? Pic: AP

Tevez, in his defence, has spoken emotionally about his homesickness and how the toil of the English game has left him jaded, saying: "My family, but also my body, is starting to feel the effort. I have worked and fought so hard and I would love to enjoy my football. I have been playing in England for five years and have not spent a single Christmas or New Year with my family."

This would appear to leave Tevez with only one option - namely a return to his native Argentina and Buenos Aires to play for his beloved Boca Juniors. If Tevez cites homesickness and unhappiness in Manchester then pitches up at Real Madrid or any other European destination, the City fans who idolise him are entitled to ask questions.

City have shown compassion to Tevez, giving him special dispensation to return to his family, but they are not so charitable as to allow him to walk away free of charge simply because he is homesick. Do Boca Juniors have the finance to recompense City for a reported investment of nearly £50m in the player, even in the unlikely event that they wish to sell?

Tevez is currently a bigger hero to the Eastlands support than Mancini, who is respected but not revered for his work. There is growing sympathy, however, for the constant battle Mancini appears to be waging to keep the peace in his dressing room, with Mario Balotelli's juvenile behaviour at Upton Park before and after he was substituted the latest example.

For City and Mancini, though, a signpost to their next move may have come in the saga that unfolded around Rooney just a few miles away at Old Trafford.

Rooney derided Manchester United's lack of ambition and squad strength, effectively questioning the quality of his team-mates, before soothing words from Ferguson and the Glazer family (plus a hefty wage rise) brought resolution to a volatile situation.

Ferguson, having weighed up all his options, quite simply concluded that Rooney was a player of such quality and importance that he was indulged in his public show of concern before being brought back into the fold.

City will surely feel Tevez is worth the extra effort to take time and patience to get to the root of his problems and find a solution. The desire to do this will only increase as they see genuine possibilities opening up before them as the Premier League enters 2011. Tevez, settled and satisfied, can help City reach their desired destination.

Tevez is also employing a risky strategy as the parties in this stand-off jockey for position. He must be careful not to toy with the affections of City's fans - and it is hard to imagine him finding a club that can offer him a more lucrative deal than that he would be afforded at Eastlands.

Mancini has had to become a politician as much as a manager in recent times at City, and it will be a test of his and the club's sure touch as to how they handle this sudden, and potentially damaging, development.

It was suggested only this weekend that Mancini privately believes Manchester City can eventually win the title even without Carlos Tevez. A nice theory - but perhaps one he would not wish to put to the test just yet.

Comment number 1.

I personally think Tevez should've spoken to Mancini privately and ask to leave at the end of the season. That would seem reasonable to me as it gives them 6 months to work out a replacement or for him to change his mind.

Comment number 2.

Do you think that Spain is a potential place that he'd go? If I remember, his family didn't settle in England because of problems with english language, so with spain speaking spanish could be an option.

Comment number 5.

It's hard to understand what's going through Tevez's mind. I think he just has a hard time enjoying himself. He's probably one of those characters that would only miss Europe and the challenge of its football if he did go to Argentina. I think his actions show a man who has no idea what he really wants out of life.

Comment number 6.

Phil - this has all the 'hallmarks' of another Rooney saga, only instead of 'lack of ambition' as the reason for leaving, now its 'homesickness/missing the kids' - funny never heard this mentioned when Tevez was at West Ham or Man United?

Comment number 7.

Tevez and Joorabchian are all about the money, they always have been, they'll manufacture a reason to leave City just as they manufactured a reason to leave United. There is clearly something going on with Tevez (and Mascherano for that matter) that means that they need to sign a big contract every couple of years or so, one of these days somebody will look seriously at it.

Comment number 8.

If family reasons are the catalyst behind this request, then I fully support Tevez's decision. He's already made enough money to be more than comfortable for the rest of his life, and wanting to spend time with his young children is something that surely any father can relate to.

Comment number 10.

Yet again fergie is proved correct, there is only one reason that a man utd player would choose city and that is money, he is the highest paid player at the highest paying club and now he wants even more, he has just shown everyone his true nature, still yet to win a thing with city but he wants an improved contract or he is throwing his dummy out the pram.as a utd fan all i can say is good riddance

Comment number 11.

Comment number 12.

Managers all the way back to Clough have despised agents. Ferguson hates them. Nothing is ever done. If you don't like it then don't go to the game or buy the shirt. If you do, then you're consenting to corruption

Comment number 13.

I'd also add that Tevez (in my opinion) usually conducts himself with respect, humility and sincerity in general and especially towards West Ham, the supporters of teh club he plays for and the supporters of United (not so much the hierarchy of the club, for understandable reasons). I'm not convinced of a money motive/ neo-Rooney saga.

Also, Georgiesthebest7, I thought he did mention once or twice that he missed his family whilst at United?

Comment number 14.

7. At 12:30pm on 12 Dec 2010, Chad Secksington wrote:Tevez and Joorabchian are all about the money, they always have been, they'll manufacture a reason to leave City just as they manufactured a reason to leave United. There is clearly something going on with Tevez (and Mascherano for that matter) that means that they need to sign a big contract every couple of years or so, one of these days somebody will look seriously at it.

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Interesting theory..

If this is true, then wouldnt he need to go Spain to get a big fat contract rather than go back home.

Comment number 16.

Tevez is still owed by the money men and it would not surprise me if he is after a move to Real Madrid, where perhaps his wife will join him!He misses more than he scores, has not looked happy for weeks, get shot of him.It would have been reasonable for him to leave at the end of this season but he has let his team and the fans down, the highest paid player and Captain, remembered for player/agent power rather than his football skills.

Comment number 17.

I don't think this is a 'devastating blow', as you put it Phil - this isn't a great surprise and has been coming for a long time. Tevez has said so many times how he wants to leave or even pack in football altogether because of him missing family/being disillusioned with modern day football. He would have lasted 'til the end of the season at most anyway.

Comment number 21.

I don't feel Portugal has a team of Tevez's class; he is a great player. But the lure of a Spanish speaking country and silverware (thus continuing a good career, and admittedly with some good money) might tempt his family to relocate from Argentina, something they didn't succeed in when in England.

Comment number 22.

If he wants to push through a move he'll have to go all out. Refuse to train,refuse to play,refuse to cooperate. The whole 9 yards. Simply stomping his feet and wanting away won't do. This is the big boy's lead. Don't be surprised if he starts wearing ruby boots. There's no place like home,there's no place like home...

Comment number 24.

Hasn't spent a Xmas or NY with his family.... the family in Argentina? I'm sure he can afford to pay for them to come over here. Who's he kidding?

This kind of petulance and greed needs someone to take a stand - and no-one is better placed to leave a players to see out his contract on the sidelines than the owners of MCFC.

But long term a salary cap is needed - these people are just getting so greedy it defies belief. I've lost what little respect I had for Tevez and Rooney after hearing all this - I hope they are both replaced in the Jan transfer window and left to stew in it or sold on to mediocre clubs.

Comment number 25.

I blame Balotelli :D Not a Man City fan, but players like Balotelli have probably made the dressing room the worst in the world and with their gigantic wages and egos it's no surprise Tevez wants to leave. I wish him luck.

Comment number 26.

Tevez is a fantastic player, and he comes across as hard working and down to earth guy. But obviously, his agent does manage to convince him every now and then that he is worth more than what he is getting. I was very surprised when Man United let him go so easily, but now I know his agent is too involved and will always continue to unsettle the player.

I think Man City should just get rid of him. No point being taken to ransom by a player, when trying to manage a team of unsettled, overpaid superstars. Otherwise, everytime one of those players are unhappy, they will just do a Tevez.

Comment number 27.

Good Article. It's obvious that he is homesick. His bust-ups with Mancini are are a sympton of that. Although why you believe Tevez going to Spain would somehow disprove his homesickness is strange. If his family could settle in Spain then he wouldn't be homesick anymore. His bust-ups with Mancini don't indicate that he is after more money. I dare say that it was his agent who tried to re-negtiate a longer contract not Tevez himself...

Comment number 28.

Let's say Tevez gets his wish and has his contract annulled and goes back to Argentina. How long do you reckon it will be until he signs for another big club? I'd give him a season out of European football, if that.

As another point, what does Joorabchian gain out of all this? He's not going to make much money with Tevez returning to Argentina, and doesn't he own Tevez's "economic rights"?

If Tevez leaves Man City he'll do so to go to a bigger club, most likely in Spain where his family will find it easier to adjust.

Comment number 29.

There's been talk about his homesickness for a while now. I think the reason it didn't surface when at West Ham or United is cause his kids weren't born.. then they were in England but moved back to Argentina cause of cultural differences (this would have been early 2010 when his 2nd kid was born)..

A move to Spain you would have thought would be ok, but just cause the language is the same doesn't mean the culture is (not that I know, i'm just guessing with it being the other side of the world..)

I would imagin it would be Argentina he'd go to.. Obviously Boca being his childhood club and the biggest team in the country! Yes they may not be able to afford him or the wages he's on at City but if he's that desperate to move there he'll take a pay cut and maybe even pay some of the transfer fee?

Personally, as a Man United fan, i'm loving all the turmoil at City (and especially Tevez).. No doubt they'll come out of it eventually and be a great team but until then this big grin is not leaving my face!

Comment number 32.

There are some prople who just aren't happy living and working in the UK. I suspect that Tevez has always been ambivalent which is why he hasn't moved his family across. Equally he always seems to need an inordinate amount of overt reassurance. So I guess no surprises on this latest action. Whether he 'd feel any better at another club? I'd doubt it long term. He's a really good player, but is he personally mature enough to handle a life away from his homeland? There has to be doubt.

Comment number 35.

On the back of Wayne Rooney's comments before signing his new United 'mega' contract, I have zero sympathy for Mr. Tevez. The power these footballers wield nowadays absolutely defies belief! At a time most decent people are struggling economically are we really that worried Carlos is 'homesick', really missing his kids or has 'language' difficulties? Bring in a wage cap of no more than £10k a week for them all. Let as SpeedyGun #26 suggests the 'hard working and down to earth guy' Mr. Tevez retire at the age of 26 and return home - poor dear....reality check people!!

Comment number 36.

They should change Eastlands to Eastenders with all the drama going on; after all his outbursts, statements in the press, etc Tevez should at least be stripped of the captaincy, otherwise you have to ask who is bigger in this situation the club or the player?

Comment number 37.

I'm heartily sick of foreign footballers citing homesickness as a reason for being unsettled. If they can't be bothered to learn the language and make reasonable efforts to assimilate, while carting home great wheelbarrows of our cash, they should stay in their precious homelands. We had the same problem at Liverpool from the moaner Mascherano, who complained that there was no-one to talk to. (The poor lamb looked out of his window at Insua in the opposite ivory tower and had to drive over to Cheshire if he wanted to see Tevez, who never goes out).

Comment number 38.

Anyone thinking that he wouldn’t go to Boca, should consider that Joorabchian’s 50% cut (or whatever ludicrous amount) of even a £15m transfer is a nice bundle . . . never mind a cut of the 2012 transfer to Barca or Real . . . and the 2014 transfer to AC or Inter, etc.

Comment number 39.

MAN CITY WILL KEEP HIM PRISONER IN JANUARY AND WE WON'T SEE HIM LEAVE THE CLUB, HOWEVER REAL MADRID IN THE SUMMER SOUNDS LIKE AN 'EL CLASSICO' SIGNING DOESN'T IT..??? WAIT AND SEE.. IF I WAS IN TEVEZ'S BOOTS I'D PROBABLY BE FED UP WITH THE WEATHER HERE AND ALL OF THE IDIOTS AROUND ME AT MANCHESTER CITY (WANNABE'S STILL REMEMBER!!) SO YEAH I CAN UNDERSTAND HIS TIMING, ESPECIALLY AS HE WILL NO DOUBT POP OVER TO ARGENTINA FOR XMAS DINNER AND TALK ABOUT THIS WITH HIS FAMILY AGAIN..

Comment number 42.

No matter what ever the reason behind his transfer request, his attitude and behaviour isnt acceptable, especially what he did when he was substituted against bolton. if he was punished or cautioned, balotelli wudnt have repeated the same yestrdaythis is not good for football. NO player is bigger than the CLUB, MANAGER & THE FANS.

Comment number 43.

If was the owner of Man City I would say "I paid for your services. I dont care if u rot in the reserves, you are staying here till the end of your contract. By that time, you will be so out of touch, nobody will even want you."

I am sick and tired of players holding clubs to ransom. They have no respect of the amount of money which was invested in them.

Comment number 44.

Comment number 45.

I'm heartily sick of foreign footballers citing homesickness as a reason for being unsettled. If they can't be bothered to learn the language and make reasonable efforts to assimilate, while carting home great wheelbarrows of our cash,--------------------------------OUR cash? I think you'll find most of the money comes from abroad, replica tshirts, TV rights, commercial endorsement, and all that

He earns enough money to be able to ship 200 argentinians to his mansion and build a replica village there to make his wife feel more at home.

Every time Tevez goes to a club there is a 'Tevez saga' of some sort, then he leaves and his agent earns millions. Let him go.

Comment number 46.

"TEVEZ REVEALS HIS WISH TO GO BACK TO HIS HOMELANDSubmitted by content on Wed, 12/01/2010 - 13:36.

Carlos Tevez has revealed that he wants to go back to his homeland. He explained: 'I'm tired of football but I'm also tired of people who work in football. Football is only about money and I don't like it.'

Carlos Tevez went on to state: 'If you ask me, I would love to have my old life back in my neighbourhood of Fuerte Apache (in Buenos Aires). I don't want to play anymore.'

Furthermore, the talisman noted how young professional footballers no longer appear to look up to their experienced elders, instead only caring about having an expensive house and mobile phones."

Comment number 47.

Seems evident the reason Fergie let him go has come back to haunt the club he ended up at. He's agent has probably run out of money again.Tevez it has to be said, does know where his loyalties lie - no where!

Comment number 48.

Phil McNulty wrote:This would appear to leave Tevez with only one option - namely a return to his native Argentina and Buenos Aires to play for his beloved Boca Juniors. If Tevez cites homesickness and unhappiness in Manchester then pitches up at Real Madrid or any other European destination, then the City fans who idolise him are entitled to ask questions.-----

Phil, Not necessarily, don't accidentally slate him. Spain is a also good option for Tevez. Remember that homesickness doesn't really mean hometown. It's the culture, language... and it's surely easier for him to get his family/kids to Spain, while it's still good for his football.

If this transfer request is not purely from his agent, then I sense there's a Real Madrid motive here. Mourinho's in need of a good striker from January, due to Higuain injury and due to Barca's power. Tevez has been and is being 'homesick' but it's not so much he has to move right away right now, not waiting until the summer.

Comment number 50.

Probably going to Real as cover for Higuain who has a back problem. Would suite him, his family could visit him there without the language problem and they get Christamas week off in La Liga. Mot sure if they would match his present wages though.

Comment number 53.

I'm heartily sick of foreign footballers citing homesickness as a reason for being unsettled. If they can't be bothered to learn the language and make reasonable efforts to assimilate, while carting home great wheelbarrows of our cash, they should stay in their precious homelands.--------------------------------

Greedy footballers are just a by-product of Sky and the cash-laden English Premier League. People moan about the sky-high ticket prices and greedy footballers with their obscene wages, but at the same time boast about having the best domestic league in the world full of the best players.

You can't have it both ways.

The problem is, the money (and product) is there from Sky, and people just can't turn it down. The viewers keep shelling out to subscribe, the fans keep shelling out for season tickets and the EPL, the clubs and the foobtallers (and agents) keep raking it in. Not just the EPL of course, the Champions League is the same too. Gluttony is a sin..... perhaps the whole thing will eventually implode?

As for Tevez. No sympathy whatsoever. After discovering his family couldn't settle here, instead of signing a new deal/or moving to another club in England he should have left for a free transfer and either tried a short-term move to Spain or back home to Argentina. He has made the choice to sacrifice his family life to make a fortune, plenty of people do that for far less money AND get far less holiday time to go back home and be with their families.

Comment number 54.

Tevez's dummy celebration, which he also used at Man United, was to demonstrate to his family that he is missing them. So this is not a new phenomenon. You could then argue that this has been a concern of his for some time that has just more recently come to the fore. However, if he then goes and signs a contract, and is even more recently asking for a new one at City, you would have to ask how genuine this concern really is.

There are more options here. You could say it's all his agent and Tevez has no mind of his own. You could say it's all Tevez, and the agent is just carrying out instructions. Whoops! My mistake! He can't be an agent can he? He doesn't have a license. Or, more likely, Tevez isn't particularly intelligent and has been thoroughly manipulated by an articulate, educated man. But, to some degree, he lets it happen. Kia Joorabchian has exploited a healthy profit in what seems to be to be a fairly unintelligent, but very talented footballer. It's the perfect mix for an agent (whoops, sorry: advisor). Perhaps then, Tevez isn't so much missing his family, disrespecting his club, or looking for money. Maybe he's just a bit of a dummy?

Perhaps his agent has ensured he is more concerned with what he doesn't have rather than what he does. There was no footballing reason whatsoever for Tevez to leave United. He would have been playing more regularly eventually, and it's mostly only naive City fans who believe they can ever be a bigger club than United. Regrettably it was more useful for his agent if he moved on. This is the case once more. It was said in the article that he can't get as much elsewhere. However, when the FFP rules come in and the hopes of City success and spending begin to wane, Kia will need to have his dummy-donning cash cow grazing glitzy new pastures to keep raking in the profits.

I would be astounded if he moved back to Argentina. I see a move to Spain more likely to be engineered. The problem he has is: who would want him? At the end of it all, he has shown himself to be disruptive, unsettled in himself and high-maintenance. Let's not pretend he is going to get away with that when he is playing alongside Messi or Ronaldo. Both these players are dedicated to football, and highly respectful of their managers. Tevez has behaved disgracefully.

Step one for the new club should be to rid of his link with KJ. Step two would be to arrange for his family to move across with him. Step three would be to put him on a contract that relies heavily on the club's success. Without these kind of assurances, Tevez is a volatile risk-ridden firework waiting to go off. There are few more respected, tolerant managers than SAF, or more mild-mannered and polite than Mancini. Yet Tevez has managed to drive a JCB down the wrong side of both of them. I don't see Guardiola or Mourinho entertaining his tantrums to any greater extent.

Manipulated or not, it's time for Dummy Tevez to stop being an over-sized infant. Otherwise his career at the top of the game is over.

Comment number 56.

Carlos Tevez is a money grabbin mercenary and the sooner manchester city fans realise that the better.You will win nothing with all your millions with footballers signing with one thought in their head. A FAST BUCK TO BE MADE BEFORE GETTIN THE HELL OUT OF MANCHESTER!! Sit up and smell whats happening!!!

Comment number 57.

No sympathy whatsoever! The citeh fans were delerious when he moved from Utd and the Welcome to Manchester poster enhanced their joy..how times change. Maybe Tev is tired of carrying the team these last 18mths. Maybe he wants silverware,in which case he's definately at the wrong club. Whatever,the Red side of Manchester is feeling very smug this day,whilst the berties on the local web-sites are in disarray. Could'nt happen to a nicer bunch of fans!

Comment number 61.

Can't say I am surprised that Tevez has handed in a transfer request. I have some sympathy for him missing his family but one thing is for sure, Fergie made the correct decision not to shell out £30 million quid for him and City have made fools of themselves, I wonder how long it will take for Cook and Co to take down that stupid 'welcome to Manchester' sign. Also, if he wishes to go back home to Argentina,who is going to be able to afford him? Boca Juniors don't have that kind of cash, so City will make a massive loss on the player. Him going to Italy or Spain will not solve his homesickness so I am a bit of confused how moving anywhere in Europe will solve his problems??

Comment number 62.

Many and varied comments to the blog Phil. It shows just how controversial Teves has been in his time playing in the Premiership. I'm in agreement with the two comments above. I am not so sure Carlos is that clever a man. His agent seemed to pull the strings during his last months at United, though it was Carlos who appeared in the papers giving out about Sir Alex. At the time, every Man U fan thought Fergie was mad letting Carlos go. Now, it seemed like a wise decision. No way would you want an upset trouble maker in the dressing room. As Kess says above, Carlos lacks decorum. He just doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut. You can be sure he'll go and play in Spain, let them have him. He's a terrific player, possessed of skill, an eye for goal and tenacity, but his tantrums are boring now. I have every sympathy for him if he is genuinely missing his family, but we all have problems. Most of us just deal with them with out the need for public displays of petulance.

Comment number 63.

Football managers these days have to manage the team and man-manage the players,not an easy job since they are very spoilt.Tevez can't really stay at Man.c. after this and it looks like sir.Alex new what he was doing.I can understand the family thing but surely there must be a solution with all that money he makes.

Comment number 65.

Ha Fergie shows his genius again! There is only one reason he went to city and that is the $$$$! Tevez and his greedy agent are a growing problem and whilst a good player I won't be upset if he goes back to Argentina and gets fat on the milliions he gained from City.

I agree with above posts that he seems like a person who is a complainer, a whinger and is not a happy guy. Cheerio!

Comment number 67.

One word sums up the Tevez problem - Joorabchian. He epitomises everything that is wrong and sordid about football agents. Effectively he owns everything about Tevez - is that right in a free (ish ) world?

He's just disgraceful and the sooner the media start to hound him out the better.

Comment number 68.

1. 'Tevez has stated his discontent at being separated for long periods from wife Vanessa and daughters Florencia and Katia in Buenos Aires'

Tevez is no longer in a relationship with Vanessa and hasn't been since the before the birth of his last child. Sky sports pundits asked a few weeks ago why he doesn’t move them to England after all he can easily afford it they said. The answer they are already separated and the only way to remedy this is if he goes to play in Argentina. As his ex will not go to Spain or anywhere else, why would she is not with him!!

2. 'Tevez is currently a bigger hero to the Eastlands support than Mancini, who is respected but not revered for his work'

I am a City season ticket holder and know many others who would say your not at all right here. It is the name of Mancini that gets chanted and not that of Tevez at the games. City fans sing 'Fergie, Fergie sign him up' to wind up the reds and not because of a great love of Tevez this is usually after he had scored only. So I think you are wide of the mark here although don‘t get me wrong he is much liked but he constantly goes on about being tried or wanting to quit football or so other rubbish this certainly has affected his relationship with the fans.

Mancini v Tevez = only one winner and it's not Tevez.

I feel Tevez trying to bully City for a new contract but if he goes in the summer (they will never sell in Jan, he is a pro he will do his best until the Summer) it won't be a 'devastating blow’ they will simply go and sign someone as good if not better as we all know they have a few quid and are not afraid of spending it. Which leaves old Tevez trying to mug another club and good luck to him or should I say more to his new club as he's gonna costa pretty penny! Could Rooney's whoping £250.000 pay hike have made him think, if he's getting it then so am I, Who knows? If he stays then great happy days, if not then it’s taxi for Carlos, who cares roll on the next top gun, the King is dead long live the King etc, etc so forth and so on.

Comment number 69.

Tevez, it seems, needs to be treated for depression if not something deeper - he appears to be the type of person who is never totally happy with his situation.

However, it has been known for a long time that his family will not live in England, and I can sympathise with his predicament. The longer it continues the more unhappy he will be. It will also be cyclical, with the separation from wife and family being more difficult to deal with at certain times. Remember that it is now approaching Christmas and New Year. This is a period when more people are depressed than at any other time of year, and even if he is not normally prone to depression (although he certainly appears to be) it would be natural for him to find the separation from his family more keenly now than at any other time.

If he is truly questioning his love of the game, he could afford to retire. Not sure what his contractual situation, and the money implications are, if he decided to though.

No team from South America could afford to pay what City would ask for his contract. If he wants to remain in football, then a move to Spain seems his best option, as there is the possibility of his family being willing and able to settle there.

As for City and their supporters - I have no sympathy for you lot. You knew what yo were buying. You may force him to see ot his contract, but you will not have a happy player; but what is one more unhappy player to add to the others you already have?

As for laughing at the United fans, I guess the boot is on the other foot now, so enjoy being kicked by it.

Comment number 70.

'loyal and long-suffering fans' - cry me a river please! I'm fed up of hearing of the so called long suffering fans,surely you aren't suffering right now? You are second in the league etc etc

It's always been a money thing with tevez and it always will be. He'll hold city to ransom and they'll pay it or if not theyll go and spend over the odds for an average striker to replace him so dry those eyes city fans.

Comment number 71.

Don't buy into it one bit. If it was fully about the family, surely he would just buy out his contract (or at least part of it) and retire? There is no way any team in Argentina can afford him so a transfer request can only lead to 2 options - a wage increase or a move to Spain, which is not exactly family orientated, it is even further away. I fully believe it is his agent trying to a manipulate City to the best of his ability. Very risky. We shall see what happens...

Comment number 72.

# Mikraphone13"... I thought he did mention once or twice that he missed his family whilst at United?"---------------------------------------------------------------------Cannot say I remember anything being reported as causing him 'inner turmoil' whilst with his previous clubs - usually 'homesickness' is what people get when they have just moved away from home, not after five years! I can understand him saying he misses his family, but not at the sametime as his agent is trying to get his employers to up his salary and add on an extra year to his contract!! Might be missing something in translation, but it doesn't square up for me!

Comment number 74.

according to other comments, his sucking thumb celebration is a reference to this (more or less). Moreover, certainly separating from his wife and his children's departure from England surely made the inner turmoil more profound; he seems a family man. I remember him complaining once a few years back about finding hard to settle because of the language barriers as he's struggled to learn.

Comment number 75.

I think without Tevez Man City don't really have a pure goalscorer, Adeboyor, Balotelli ain't proved nothing at City yet. Even with all their money, I don't think a world-class goalscorer will want to come to them!

Comment number 76.

Its about money, the family stuff is just noise. Personally I think whatever the outcome of the negotiation with his employers, the reputation of the player with the fans and his manager may be seriously fractured and terminated.

The key issue in the comparison between the Rooney and Tevez saga's may be the relationship between manager and player. Rooney and SAF have a good relationship and could continue to work together, while not the same might be said of Tevez and Mancini.

Feel a bit sorry for Mancini on this issue. In terms of players he does not have a lack of unpredictable personalities to seek in his squad. Balotelli will be away by the end of next summer.

Comment number 77.

Its been seen so often that these great footballers are driven by their agents. They make them take stupid decissions, which may not interest the players most of the times. No offense but are these great footballers like tevez or a rooney "not so smart" to manage their own accounts and investments and decide whats best for their career!!

Comment number 78.

Tevez, be open about why you want to leave Man City. Could it be an increase in your wages. Weren't you home sick when at Man Utd and WestHam? Man City are serious title contenders and they can win the title without Tevez. Let him GOOOOOOOO

Comment number 79.

Missing home? Missing wife and kids? I don't understand. Obviously I accept I know nothing about Tevez's personal life and circumstances so this comment could be voided, but his family choose to stay in Argentina because they have trouble settling in England?? So it's better for them to stay separated from their husband/dad even when it causes him so much 'pain'? And they have no choice in the matter? Like a soldier away, fighting in a war for their country right? Er, no.

Get a grip. I think someone is using lame excuses, not so unsimilar to 'Richard' Rooney. Rooney said United lacked ambition, Tevez is saying he is missing home. The real reason? Money for Rooney and wanting to play for a bigger club for Tevez. Never made such issues of it when playing for United. And if his "missing home" reasons were true why was he so "hurt" and "disappointed" when United didn't want him enough? He would have gone home if all he is now saying was true no?

On the other hand maybe he is divorced and so cannot have his girls in England. Does anyone know?"

Comment number 80.

Tevez should cool down and do some work for Man city. Man city should not deceive themselves that they can go far without him. FOR EXAMPLE IF MESSY LEAVES BACA THINGS WILL NOT REMAIN THE SAME. THERE IS ALWAYS ONE MAN THAT IS KEY.

Comment number 82.

Its just another world class player trying to maximise his earnings. He's a bloke who wants to make as much money as possible for the next few years of his life (as does his agent). Sadly the way to do that if you are one of the world's best footballers is to either move club every 2 years or drive up your wages by threatening to leave. All the best England players do this so we can hardly expect a guy from Argentina to be any different.

This approach might not win you the most friends or the most trophies but as long as you keep doing it on the pitch, it will get you the most money.

Comment number 83.

I have no respect for any Premier league footballer - period. Greed, plain and simple greed. anyone one who falls for such excuses as missing family, homesick, etc want to see a doctor!

I have heard it over the years from numerous players "I want to stay here, I love this club, blah, blah. That is until they see someone else get a pay rise, then any club loyalty they appeared to have takes place by the flashing £££££ signs.

People earning Tevez's kind of money can afford to charter private jets for his family or 1st class scheduled flights - every week if he wishes.

Madness. Players should be on a pay-per-goal, or pay-per-win package. Basic pay of £15,000 a year, then you get bonuses for winning a game, or scoring goals.

Comment number 84.

I have to agree with you. The living in England bit does not wash because there are large Spanish and Portuguese speaking communities in England albeit mostly in the South East. When Argentina play Brazil at the Emirates the fans of these nations are mostly locals.

That said when a player embarks on a career that may take him away from friends and family he has to fully commit or not at all. To chuck in the towel after 5 years is a bit feeble. I just heard on the radio that his weekly pay packet is in excess of 200 K TAX FREE!!!

Comment number 85.

Tevez and Joorabchian are all about the money, they always have been, they'll manufacture a reason to leave City just as they manufactured a reason to leave United. There is clearly something going on with Tevez (and Mascherano for that matter) that means that they need to sign a big contract every couple of years or so, one of these days somebody will look seriously at it.

---------------------

Interesting theory..

If this is true, then wouldnt he need to go Spain to get a big fat contract rather than go back home.

No what they'll do is have the contract annulled in order for Joorabchian to own him again and sell to the next mug for another big fee. I'm surprised UEFA or FIFA haven't put an end to this.

Comment number 86.

Many people here are so insensitive about others plights. I guess many of you are not married and do not have kids. If you had kids, you would have known that no amount of money can equate the joy you feel on seeing your wife and kids after a hard day's job. Secondly, if the club feels they need his service, let them settle his demands or alternatively let him go. They have the money and they can always call the shots.

Comment number 88.

".... when Wayne Rooney wanted to leave Old Trafford, even allowing themselves to briefly dream of him joining Tevez at Eastlands."

Why on earth would we want him? 2 goals, both penalties, since October and let his club and country down by either being sent off, of just disappearing and being substituted in almost every really big game he's played.

Happy or not, Tevez has always played his heart out for City, and I hope they find a way to keep him.

Comment number 89.

# Mikraphone13"...Moreover, certainly separating from his wife and his children's departure from England surely made the inner turmoil more profound; he seems a family man. I remember him complaining once a few years back about finding hard to settle because of the language barriers as he's struggled to learn". ---------------------------------------------------------------------As I said, I can understand him saying he misses his children - but not with the fact that his agent, at the same time, is asking City for more money AND for an extra year on his contract ... and please don't tell me his agent is acting without Tevez's agreement!

Comment number 90.

it's not "ironic" that Tevez is behaving like this at all. it's comnpletely predictable.

in fact if the newsmedia - McNulty in particular included - hadn't been so busy gleefully buying into their fantastical imagined decline of united that they were so desperate for tevez' transfer to be representative of they would've probably used a bit more of their copy to report what an absolute joke it is that city are in a position to pay idiots like tevez so much money in the first place.

as for the comparison with rooney at united McNulty so obviously attempts to portray? you are actually starting to become a parady of your own nonsense mate. for a start off tevez still has 3 and a half years left on his contract.

Comment number 91.

Thanks for highlighting this issue Phil, as the Mancini management saga fires me up like none other in football right now, but I'm afraid when I read this bit about Mancini - "has negotiated the delicate balancing of the egos infiltrating the Eastlands dressing room" - I had a "John McEnroe moment"!

i.e. I asked myself "Can Phil be serious???", or did he write that with a considerably long length of tongue in his cheek?

Well anyway, I think it's pretty common knowledge amongst most sports journalists that Mancini is to human resources management what Attila the Hun was to flower arranging.

I think however there's a much bigger issue here than just Tevez's desire to depart Man City, which is that despite their wildly extravagant salaries, footballers are still human beings, and sadly, a lot of managers like Mancini and I'd say to a large extent Alex Ferguson too, don't acknowledge that fact enough.

In my view, Wayne Rooney genuinely wanted to leave Man Utd, due to lack of "human support" from Ferguson, who effectively in my view entrapped Rooney into staying at Man U for the rest of his career by whipping up via his "traitor" portayal of Rooney an angry mob of Man U fans, even protesting outside his house, who looked nearly ready to string Rooney up from the nearest lamp post if he dared go to Man City, his likely most favoured destination, with players like Tevez (his buddy) already there, and Adam Johnson who he plays well with for England.

(note Tevez stated he was very keen for Rooney to come to City at the time, which must have been a further disappointment to him when it didn't happen)

The situation with Tevez however is very different, because firstly he still hardly speaks any English, misses his wife and children terribly, and if you add those two things alone up, you're looking at circumstances which typically lead to eventual mental health problems, such as depression, mood swings, temperamental behaviour etc..

You'll note Tevez also was one of the few or only City players not to attend the City players' Xmas party last week, in which most of the attending players dressed up like "BBC childrens TV presenters", which is in my view a very strong indicator of Tevez's feeling of isolation and not belonging.

In short, I think we are watching Carlos Tevez cracking up and frankly, from the humanitarian point of view, Tevez should be allowed to go wherever he wants without questions being asked, because I think there is a genuine and major mental health concern for Tevez here.

Thus Man City's and presumably Mancini's blank refusal of his request is really an appalling and inhumane response, to a player who is not only in my view unhappy, but also risking going into some kind of significant level of mental health problems.

Mancini's dire lack of man management skills has of course been the catalyst for this sudden request, which I very much doubt has got the full backing of his agents unless they think he can do alright elsewhere - e.g. Real Madrid or wherever.

And as several here have pointed out, he may be trying to relocate himself and his family to a Spanish speaking country as I reckon that he won't want to go back to Argentina when he's still young enough to earn an awful lot more money in European football.

You also have to ask where the leak came from, because I doubt it's anything Man City would want aired publicly, so I think it's a sign that Tevez and/or his background team are determined to leave City now, and frankly, if the City bosses and Mancini try to play ugly to get him to stay, it will backfire on them.

The moral of this story as I've said is that football is more than just about ball skills, tactics and salaries, it's about handling human beings, and that's why contrary to most Man City fans, I don't think Mancini will ever make a real success out of Man City in terms of winning trophies.

By contrast, look at the culture that Harry Redknapp has created at Tottenham. It's a relatively happy family, there's a good team spirit, and the players believe in the manager and the team.

At City the players aren't quite sure of either, and they aren't in many cases even sure they'll be part of the team for very long.

I don't doubt Roberto Mancini is hopping mad about this news leaking out, but I've been predicting "Mutiny on the Man City Bounty" for some time now, and now Tevez has thrown down the gauntlet, I wouldn't be surprised to see a few more players making plans to "jump ship."

e.g. I saw an article the other day saying Adam Johnson would be interested in hearing offers from Spurs, which you'll find with an easy Google News search.

The owners need to wake up to the fact that they've hired a bad people manager, and this sort of thing was bound to happen sooner or later.

And finally, this highlights the whole issue of so many players from far away lands coming here for the money, who can't necessarily even speak English, separated from all their family and friends and the native culture they understood, of which Balotelli is Man City's latest example, and also likely to be a source of increasing problems as time goes by.

My personal guess is that in his head, Mancini is just rebuilding his Inter Milan team - his last job from which he was sacked - even at the expense of English/British rising talent like Adam Johnson, and now James Milner is also being benched it appears.

Adam Johnson came on as sub yesterday and scored another fine goal which the MOTD studio analysis team completely ignored, but my guess is Johnson was only allowed on the field at all because Mancini was in fear that Balotelli would get sent off, as he had already been yellow carded.

Mancini is the Gordon Brown of football management, but sadly, due to City's more or less continual presence now in the top 4 and current (almost certainly temporary) "equal top" position, most City fans refuse to admit or see it and are backing Mancini solidly.

Like him, and Sir Alex Ferguson, they clearly want success at any cost, including the current human cost to Carlos Tevez, and other ignored and underused talent like Adam Johnson and Adebayor.

Sad, very sad - bad for Man City, and bad for British football as a whole.

Comment number 92.

So Tevez is unhappy, the poor lamb. He's so underpaid and unappreciated, isn't he? Well I thought he was under contract to a club which now appears to be performing well and more consistently, is well funded, and has always had outstanding support. It beggars belief that a player in his position, club captain, could at this stage of the season ask for a transfer.

I can't help thinking how Shankly might have dealt with this.

"Homesick laddie, what are you still a bairn?! You haven't had a Christmas or New Year with your family? Well you may have noticed sonny that we play football around here then, and all those supporters out there expect to see you playing and scoring and so do I, so get away with you laddie. Summer will be here soon enough and we'll all be bored waiting for it to finish to get back playing, you'll see!"

Comment number 93.

A Manchester City-supporting friend of mine, and a responsible one at that, made me laugh yesterday by saying Mancini must sometimes feel like he is "in charge of a toddler group." It was a comment made after watching Balotelli's behaviour at West Ham yesterday.

There has certainly been far too much petulance around at Eastlands, and I am afraid Tevez, marvellous player though he is, was guilty of a real show of disrespect to Mancini after he was substitute against Bolton.

Is there growing support for Mancini on the back of behaviour like this? And do City fans feel they would survive without Tevez? Might they be tempted to do a deal with someone for Tevez and test Liverpool's resolve to keep Fernando Torres? Just a thought.

Manchester City's statement makes it clear they do not buy the homesickness line as they reveal Tevez's representative recently asked for a contract extension. Not exactly a sign of homesickness.

How do you think City should play this? And how do you think it will affect their chances of challenging for the title?

Comment number 94.

Wall wrote "In my view, Wayne Rooney genuinely wanted to leave Man Utd, due to lack of "human support" from Ferguson, who effectively in my view entrapped Rooney into staying at Man U for the rest of his career by whipping up via his "traitor" portayal of Rooney an angry mob of Man U fans, even protesting outside his house, who looked nearly ready to string Rooney up from the nearest lamp post if he dared go to Man City, his likely most favoured destination, with players like Tevez (his buddy) already there, and Adam Johnson who he plays well with for England."

Comment number 95.

The only answer to these problems is to ban agents. I'm sure that most of the problems arise from these money men and to take 25% or more off the player and the club they sign for is mercenary in the least. Why should any club buy a player for say 20million , only for the agent to turn round and say "OH by the way he's not signing until you pay me my fee!.

Comment number 96.

money money money is why he wants to go, Phil me boy, the transer fee, or why his agent wants him to go. Welcome to the real world. There is no such thing any more as loyalty to teams, other than in the Gaelic Athletic Association, what an achievement! Look at the billions it rakes it and consider the fact that it is AMATEUR. Smallwonder that is is called the Grab All Association. Only we Irish could doit. Sport is now about money, money, money, and this is true of Tevez and everyone else in sport, including u Phil, and elsewhere, including me. Everyone wants a few bob more, and rightly so, Xmas comes but once a year. Its what we call capitalism. However, not everyone can get, Tevez's agent probably can because his player can get goals and goals are money, money, money: sunny Spain here ah come wiv mah shooting boots on mah feet. You can say what u like about England, but would an Argy ace stay there, brrrr, if he can make a bigger fortune in Espana la linda. Hasta la vista baby

Comment number 99.

All I can say is look at how Tevez behaved when he was unhappy at United, at West Ham this is his MO and to be honest as much as I like Tevez and think he is a great player, this is his biggest flaw. He wants things his way at all times and definitely does not understand the terms contract and honouring!!

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